Silicon Valley Model A Restorers Club

The morning started with breakfast in a great local place that we have been before during the Minden, Nevada Hub Tour a few years ago. We didn't get to far because I wanted to go to an antique mall.  The guys gave me an hour but Kenny said "this is a 2hr. shop".  Needless to say we were there longer, we had to look at everything we didn't get to go to many antique shops there weren't any.  Leaving Minden Kenny decided he would like to go home by way of Sparks, NV he wanted to eat at John Escuaga's Nugget.  Called an engine builder located near the Nugget and made a long stop there.  Talked to the owner Everett and he was very informative and helpful.  He even gave us a tour of the many shops he has full of a variety and years of old cars.  He worked for Harrah's and maintained their museum of old vehicles.  Leaving there in the late afternoon we traveled to Vicki Gewalt's home to purchase a Russian engine for the A that she had for sale. It took 5 guys to load the engine into Kenny's pick up truck we were there for hours until about 8:30pm it was dark.  She has many old Ford vehicles for sale.  They are in excellent condition and have engines from Adam's Engine Builder.  No dinner for us we continued to travel home since we would be on the road for over 300 miles today.  Our A made it home about 2:30am July 1, 2010!  Bill A. had to work in the morning and we found we had no TV and no internet connection when we got home.  Comcast arrived today sorry for the delay in posting this but we all made it home safe.  Until our next adventure and thank you to all who followed us and posted comments.  See you soon.

Lauren, Bill A. & Bill Rose.

Travel to Minden was very uneventfull other than Bill R. put 4 Q of oil in his car before we left and 50 miles later he added another 4 Q's.  Kenny Thomsen arrived with a car trailer to give the trailer queen a ride.  Dinner was at JT Restaurant a nice Basque Restaurant in Minden in a Victorian building.  The weather was nice not to cold.  Sorry this was not written sooner we could not log in to hotel internet and Bill R. internet connection had no signal.

Lauren Alley 

We are here at 6:00pm traveled 236 miles today.  Hwy 30 out of Twin Falls, 93 South past Jackpot & Wells, 80 West to Elko for Lunch.  Tried to eat at the Bask Restaurant but they were closed at 2:00 we arrived at 3:00 and they don't open again until 5:00.  We didn't want to wait but we were extremely HOT and tired.  The roads had several delays due to street repairs (asphalt overlay) and widening.  Just North of Wells about 40 miles there was a huge bridge being built from one side of nothing to the other.  Not sure what it's for I said it was to get to the other side, Bill A said it was being built for the workers to practice.  If anyone knows please let us know it was the strangest thing we had ever seen in the middle of nothing, and we mean nothing no building or rest stop for miles, and miles, and miles just hot dry desert.  Found a pub and restaurant just off the freeway.  Thank goodness we all needed the A/C for a while.  Inside the A today was 100 without the A/C on and 90 with it on.  Thank you Bob Hazleton for the cool A/C it's so cold sometimes I turn it off.  With the windows closed it felt great.  Today we didn't see much in wildlife it was to HOT!  Stopped at a gas station in Elko and were told several model A's had gone through within the last few days.  They told us ours were the nicest they had seen come through.  Boy were we proud but then we told them they probably looked better because we stopped at a car wash in Twin Falls and washed the mud off from the rain.  Yes it was a hand car wash with a wand!  Tried to find an antique store open but most were closed because it's Monday.  Got out of our car in the old town of Twin Falls to look in the windows and the proprietor opened the whole store just for us.  We bought several things and had an old water pump shipped. Bill A. found a Model T crank if anyone needs one we can give you their number.   They had a very nice store and some beautiful things.  They turned out to be Farmer's and had a lot in common with Bill R.  they were the nicest people and glad we came to their store.  The store owner told Bill R. they were just cutting their first crop of Alphalfa in Twin Falls and in Tracy, Ca. they are on their third cutting of Alphalfa this year. Most of the Barley grown around Twin Falls area is mostly used for Beer Brewing and it is beautiful. Some of the corn grown was about 1ft. tall.  Our car is doing fine with a cracked block, not using much oil, and not a lot of water, and it is keeping very cool in this heat.  SHHHH I shouldn't say that but I knocked on wood after I said it.  Bill Rose has a knocking and he thinks it's the main, still have not replaced the A/C bracket but it is still working and he takes the hills better than we do.  Bill R. stopped and tried to isolate the noise from the engine by disconnecting the spark plug wires but that didn't work.  When we stopped for lunch Bill R. checked his oil and it was almost dry he checked it in the AM before we left and it was fine, that didn't stop the knocking.  Bill A. said there was no smoke out the back tail pipe we are not sure where all the oil is going.  Anyone have any thoughts?   Meeting our club member Kenny Thompson tomorrow for Dinner in Minden he will travel with us back to the Bay Area in the A.M.  Kenny ( AKA: Mr. Oyster Cooker) is bringing a car trailer to Minden if anyone needs it.  Tomorrow we plan to travel 274 miles to Minden. 

P.S. In Twin Falls we stayed at the Red Lyon Inn and were given a HOT complementary breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hot cakes, apple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, coffee, tea, milk & cereal, Yogurt, toast or bagel, and free newspapers, big difference from the Sacramento Host Red Lyon Hotel and the rate to stay was about the same price.

PSS: As we were blogging in our hotel room a large wind picked up and it was a tornado, lifted up the material on the "A" roof with the wind no, damage.  Bill R. had his windows open it moved the car back and forth by rocking it.  We have had some rain drops while traveling but this was intense.   

Until Tomorrow Friends, Lauren Alley

Finally I got to sleep in until 8:15am.  Breakfast in a great little place called "The Bunnery".  Everything was homemade their pies, sticky buns, and cinamon rolls are great.  We left Jackson around 11:30 taking West on 22 to Victor up and over the Tetons, 31 to Swan Valley, 26 to Idaho Falls.  Had lunch at a brewery across from Idaho Falls. The weather was beautiful not to hot and the falls were rushing at a fast clip. Back on the road South on 15, then west onto 26 to Arco, 20,26,93 to "Craters of the Moon" this is a National monument. Seeing the piles of lava rock formations that were created from an eruption by a volcano from 2k years ago made the scenery very strange looking.  The wild flowers were in bloom making a blanket across the vast nothing, they were a spectacular site.  Back on the road to Carey, 93 south to Shoshone, 75 to Jerome, over 86 into Twin Falls to Red Lion Hotel.  Coming into Twin Falls there was a deep wide gorge where the Snake River runs, there was a golf course below and it was a beautiful oasis coming into town.   We bucked the South Wind all day causing us to use a lower gear and causing our fuel mileage to increase, no car problems today.  Animals seen on the way Antelope, Horses, Cattle, Calves, Bulls, large mice running across the road in front of us, Llamas, Donkey's, Mules, Antelope, and a Badger. There were lush fields of alfalfa, barley, wheat, potatoes, corn, and hay, these fields were being watered with massive watering systems not usually seen in our area of California.   We completed a run today of 264 miles, we arrived at the hotel at 8:05 pm.  As we are heading South the weather is getting warmer and we heard it was 102 degrees in Livermore today.  Plans are wash the A's in the AM and continue our journey South. 

Your Travel Informant: Lauren Alley

Our day started at 6:15am to thunder, lightening, rain, and large hail, and intermitent sun.  We hurried to get ready for our river rafting trip on the Snake River with Sands River Rafting Co.  After our light breakfast in the lobby of the hotel we jumped into the "A".  I called the rafting company to make sure I had correct directions. we didn't want to be late.  We found 110 Broadway but the building was closed.  Bill A. called them again and the lady said she was in the building at 110 Broadway but it was the 2nd one.  When we didn't find it I called again and put her on speaker phone for all to hear.  She said to look for the Maverick gas station and they were across the way, wrong again.  We kept driving and we ended up out of town.  Called the office again and she said to come back she was across from a grocery store.  By now we were late for the departure time of 8:00 but they waited for us thank goodness.  The raft held 8 of us and we all climbed aboard. This was the relaxing part of our trip a slow moving boat allowing us to see some wildlife including bald eagles, cattle, pelican's, canadian geese, osprey, & crows.  13 miles of complete relaxation.  After we were complete mush we were taken back to the office and given lunch.  Waiting for the 12:00 white water rafting trip we decided to get wet suits & booties, the clouds were gathering and we were worried it might be cold. Yes I have pictures of all of us in neoprene and booties, Bill R. calls it spandex.  After a 30 minute  ride to the rushing rapids the guides put the boat in the water we threw on a splash guard jacket, and a life jacket.  Our guide gave us instructions on the boat as were floating down the river.  Bill A. was 2nd in the boat as a rower.  Bill R. sat next to him in the middle and I sat in front of Bill R. in the front of the boat.  What a roar we all got wet and some of the rapids were a class 4 & 5. Laughing the whole way down we had a great rafting trip.  Walked into the town and had dinner at a great restaurant called the Silver Dollar.  The hotel was built in the 1940's for 90K dollars.  The land was purchased for $25.00 with the dream of building a hotel. The gentleman was a cattle rancher he died in 1933 his 2 boys continued his dream and sold some of their Dad's property and used the money to build the hotel in their Father's honor.   Bill Rose ate at a different restaurant we got seperated and couldn't find each other.  He returned to his hotel room and found Bill & I had been calling and calling him to meet us.  Bill & I had homemade ice cream in town that was delicious but outrageous $8.00 for 2 ice cream cones.   Tomorrow A.M. we travel 264 miles to Twin Falls, Idaho.

Until Tomorrow: Lauren Alley

After breakfast we all left ,Steve & Ellie are still traveling with us.  Through Yellowstone we visited Old Faithful, had lunch there.  We saw Moose with their babies and more Bison and bison babies.  As we left we saw The Grand Tetons still with some snow, overlooking a beautiful lake.  There was a large Elk reserve on the East side of town and on the West side was a large airport as we entered Jackson Hole.  We checked into our rooms and hurried to get ready for dinner.  We needed to drive about 8 miles to the show BarJ Wranglers.  Steve & Ellie met us there and we all enjoyed the evening together.  The show was fantastic.  Dinner could have been better but what do you want for $30.00 dinner & a show.  There were two songs that Bill R. thought were the highlight's, "Mama doesn't allow any guitar pickin in here anymore", & "Old Man River". There were about 6 tour buses with lots of people.  About 800 people in attendance total and they were all served dinner in about 15 minutes.  Lots of hoot'in and hollar'in.  This was a great family event check out www.barjchuckwagon.com you will love the show and so will the kids.  Back late to our rooms and needing to get up and be at the river rafting trip by 7:30am we didn't blog last night.  Bill still needs to put his bracket on the A for the A/C.  We are off to the town and I will write later about today's happenings.

Later, Lauren Alley

This information was on our menu's at the Three Bear Lodge Restaurant and thought you might like to read some facts about Yellowstone.  We will write later tonight about the day.  Take Care, Lauren

June 25, 2010

Yellowstone National Park was established on March 1, 1872 by an act of congress of the USA and was the first National Park to be established.  It was set aside as a National Park 20 years before the three surrounding states, Montana, Idaho, & Wyoming were admitted to State Hood.  It was set apart not only to preserve it’s geysers which number more than 200, it’s terraces, and other thermal features, but to protect the entire area and it’s wildlife, for the generations to come. 

This park contains the largest geysers and the most extensive and varied thermal features (Hot Springs, Craters, etc. ) to be found in the world.  Only two other places in the world are such geysers to be found, in Iceland, and New Zealand. 

It has 3,471.51 square miles and approximately 2,221,000. 00 acres.  Animals include Buffalo, Moose, Elk, Mountain Sheep, Antelope, Grizzly, and Black Bears.

Madison River is known as one of the finest fishing streams in the Nation. A great number of fish are taken out of the parks lakes and streams each year.  In 1953 a 36 inch trout and, 1954 a 32 inch trout, were caught at Henry’s Lake, 13 miles south of West Yellowstone. 

The parks highest temperature ever recorded at Mammoth ( In Northern section of Yellowstone) was 92.4 in 1940.  One of the lowest temperatures recorded in the Continental U.S. was 66 degrees below in 1933 at the West Gate Ranger Station. 

Old Faithfull erupts to a height from 115 to 180 ft., the average interval is 75 minutes and the duration of each eruption is about 4 minutes.  From 10K to 12K gallons of water are discharged at each eruption.

Yellowstone Lake is about 20 miles long and 14 miles wide.  It’s shoreline has been measured as more than 100 miles.  The waterfowl that make this lake their home number approximately 10K and include a few vary rare trumpeter swans, many pelicans, blue herons, and Canadian geese as well as many other water birds. 

Lower falls which are seen from artist’s point, near canyon, are 308 feet high, about twice the height of Niagra Falls, or comparable to a building 30 stories high.  The roar of these falls can be heard distinctly from artist’s point, although nearly a mile away.  The average amount of water spilling over these falls is 1,200. Cubic feet every second. 

Written by Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Seely ( The proprietors of the Three Bear Lodge)

Oh my what a day, where do I start.  We went to the Cody Museum first after breakfast and stayed for several hours.  We took pictures with Buffalo Bill Cody at the front entrance which included Ellie, & Dad Steve Halverson. The museum has 1500 guns upstairs & 1,200 guns downstairs.  The indian artifacts and the information of animals & plants native to the area was spectacular.  The museum had information about the Pony Express and how Buffalo Bill was involved.  Buffalo Bill Cody built a hotel in Cody which cost at the time 80K dollars, it was the only building in the town.  The hotel was an oasis to the entrance of Yellow Stone.  After 3 antique stores we decided to have lunch before we headed into Yellow Stone.  We ate at the Irma Cody Restaurant it is very Victorian and a great place to eat.  The counter had a beautiful bar behind it with a companion piece seperate for dishes.  This piece was given to Buffalo Bill Cody from the Queen of England and was sent on a ship.  It had a buffalo carved at the top of the piece and looked very Victorian from the 1800's.  Entering Yellow Stone we stopped at the gate and Bill R. gave a speal about loosing his wallet and senior card so the guy gave him a new one and let him in free.  We paid $25.00 for a 7 day pass I told the guy Bill A. & I would only be there 2 days but that's the way it goes.  Shortly after entering the park Bison were in the road and walking next to the A's. Of course we took lots of pictures.  Bison males could be seen everywhere.  Bill A. saw a female deer and male buck together on a hill next to the road.  The buck had new antlers with velvet per Bill.  We traveled a large loop in Yellowstone during the late afternoon and evening hours that is the best time to see wildlife per the ticket attendant.  He was so right.  We saw many Male Bison some in the dirt pits, many birds (no eagle though),a Marmot, a trumpeter swan in a slow part of the river white with yellow beak, some small ground squirrels, 4 large Bull Elk's feeding. Their horns were unreal I don't know how they can hold their heads up they were long and wide on their heads.   Beautiful snow next to the road and the upper elevations were plenty. The lakes and rivers were rushing deep and blue. We also stopped at a fall and were mobbed by guys with camera's and the ladies were talking to Bill A. All stopped for gas fillup in the park and Bill R. didn't put his gas cap back on.  The inside of the car smelled from gasoline fumes he always preaches to keep the cap in your pocket and sure enough that is where it was.   On the way to West Yellow Stone their was a traffic jam cars comletely stopped.  We inched our way down the road.  Some young girls got out of their car and rode on Bill A's running boards down the street.  Bill R. sprayed for mosquitos in his car making the window greasy and the car smell, I got out and washed the 3 A's front windows we hit quite a bit of rain and the inside of Bill's slant windshield.  Steve had to buy a tarp to keep the rain out of the back of his pick up.  Lucky we didn't wash the A's at the host hotel in Casper they are really dirty now that it rained.  The park police had to find out why there was such a traffic jam and usher the cars along.  People were traveling slow so as not to hit the herd of female Bison and their babies.  They were everywhere on both sides of the road maybe 100 or so maybe more.  We started to sail along after that traffic jam only to hit another one around a corner.  Bill R. was traveling a little fast in the A and his brakes are not very good.  When we saw the stopped traffic he pulled the emergency brake and drove onto oncoming traffic.  Our next seminar traffic school!  Luckly no oncoming traffic and he pulled to the shoulder on the left hand side of the street facing oncoming traffic.  Whew we were lucky.  Why the abrupt stop, well there was a Grizzly Bear in the hill!  Finally at about 8:30pm we pulled into our hotel The Three Bears in Montana and had dinner at their coffee house.  I hope tomorrow will hold the same excitement of today.  We will keep you posted.  Steve Halverson said he didn't think his A could go this far and he is loving every minute of traveling.  We have enjoyed him and his daughter emensly and we look forward to them being with us again.  Until tomorrow.

Your Travel Informant: Lauren Alley

PS: I have lots of great pictures and will get them on the web site Photo Album as soon as I can. Thank you for being patient.   My camera went dead late this afternoon and needed a battery re-charge.  Just my luck it was at the Bull Elks feeding Steve will send pic's to me later. 

I had no idea there would be so many mosquito's!  I have been eaten up alive from being at one of the Pony Express Stops (splitting rock) and still itching with large welts from yesturday's travels.  The guys are fine I guess they are not sweet enough, why me?   My welts are huge I had to stop off and get some med's at the local pharmacy in Casper.  This morning Bill R. went to the museum on the hill above our hotel, he enjoyed it and was there for several hours.  He meet up with the Guzzetta's, Meenely's, & Beaman's.  The model A's and people were everywhere.  We had hoped Bill R. bracket would arrive in Cody for his alternator to be braced. The brace was in our room when we arrived.  Sometimes the alternator is charging and sometimes it's not, Bill has a spare and they might replace when the bracket is installed.  Traveling to Cody we saw beautiful wild flowers, cattle, calves, wild horses, and antelope.  The weather is beautiful just cool enough and not hot for the A's inside the cab about 70 to 75 today.  We stopped in a little town called Meeteetse for gas.  Bill A & I asked Bill Rose to say Meeteetse and not smile.  You try it!   I saw fresh fudge across the street thought I would just buy fudge for everyone.   The store was more a cute shop with many different things for sale it was a larger store than what it seemed from the outside.  They had beautiful cards I bought a few and a box of fudge for all.  Bill's health has been good.  Traveling with Steve Halverson and his daughter Ellie we arrived in Cody about 6:00.  Dinner tonight was in town the town is packed with people walking and cars driving up and down the strip.  After dinner we had ice cream cones and finally back to our rooms to retire.  Steve & Ellie had more energy and attended the local rodeo in town for the evening.   Getting up early every day and driving I need a little break.  Our room is great it's a suite with two bedrooms, kitchen, family room, fireplace, large screen TV, patio w/chairs & table, and we share a bathroom.  It's like a little house.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

Thank you for reading our blog,

Lauren Alley

Got on the road about 10 AM Steve from Gra-neva A's joined us as we traveled through Wyoming.There were Antelope  everywhere.Amazing to think the people traveled through this country on there way west in the 1800's.Only 10 percent of the people traveled east.Todays trip length was 150 miles and the weather was beautiful.We took several pictures.We decided to stop at Alcova Lake for a running board lunch lakeside complete with a family of canadian geese the weather was beautiful but we noticed large storm clouds gathering around us as we headed into Casper.We pulled to the side of the road to wait for Bill Rose to catch up and a local man ran up and told us to take cover that a storm was approaching with golf ball size hail predicted.We timed it perfectly to arrive at the hotel check in as the storm arrived.Not alot of hail but huge raindrops.The local group arrainged for us to park the cars in the convention center so some cars parked under cover.There is a huge turnout with over 100 cars.Updates tomorrow

Bill Alley

Blog here.

Blog here.

Finally after a long day we made it.  We started the day taking Bill Rose to the hospital in Evanston, he had been having difficulty breathing and some nausea.  After being at the hospital until 2:00pm we started out for Lander.  The high altitude had been giving Bill some difficulty.  He is doing better now.  While at the hospital talking to the locals we were told Evanston has 2 seasons Summer and Winter.  It remains cool and pleasant until Winter where the wind chill this last year was at minus 43 degrees, per a worker building an add on to the hospital.  Leaving Evanston we traveled the highway until we arrived at Little America.  Back roads through some beautiful terrain were seen.  We crossed the Continental Divide at 7,550 ft.  The Shoshone National Forest was beautiful, there were small lakes at the summit.  The Red Canyon was beautiful a big gourge with red rocks protruding out with different shades of red moving up the rock. The hills had beautiful yellow flowers with Lupin's mixed in.  We saw many large Antelopes with their babies, old Stag Bucks, cattle with their calves, and a deer.  Bill A. said he ran over a Jackalope, you know the bunny with the horns!  There was a sign that read the Antelope could travel up to 55 MPH, WOW.   The climbs in the A's were good today.  We stopped to read the land marks for the Mormon Crossing at Sand River, and Emigrant Gap.  Some retired gentleman on their bikes stopped for an ice cream, which was one of our stops.  They were headed across country on their bicyles with their group from Oregon, not motorcycles they were bikes with pedals.  We were very impressed, they were in great shape and probably should have eaten our ice cream for us we really didn't need it but boy was it good.  They told us the Snake river was rushing out of the banks, just our luck we are headed there on the way home for a rafting trip.  Arriving in Lander about 7:00pm.  Lander has 5,800 people and is 5,357 ft. Dinner tonight was at a great little restaurant called Cowfish on Main Street in Lander.  They make home made beer at their brewery on site.  We had a wonderful dinner and samplers of all the beers they make.  We shared of course. 

Car Trouble: Bill Alley's car had the exhaust pipe dislodge from the muffler and needed to go to a welding shop this morning to be re-welded. 

Bill Rose's Car had the A/C air conditioner pump break off from the mounting plate.  At the roadside seminar at the hotel after picking up his hood the guys ran over Bob Beaman, Bob Meenely, Alex Jancke, John Guzzetta, and a few others offered suggestions on the repair but Bill Rose said he is going to run it until it completely falls off!   Not sure what the fix is going to be we are to tired to figure it out tonight. 

Until Tomorrow's Adventure, Lauren Alley

We made it! Bill Rose is still not feeling well and we had a late start from Wendover.  I cleaned up the car after 4 days of traveling I needed to make room for Bill A. to sit.  Leaving Wendover it was extremely hot and I couldn't wait to get some breeze going in the car.  The car inside was about 90 to 95 degrees, I turned on the A/C as often as I could to cool off.  We picked Bill A. up at the Salt Lake City Airport at 2:00 Central time.  He had just landed and was ready to start the trip with us.  He took one look inside the car and said "I told you to pack light, what happened?"  I'm always in trouble!  After leaving the airport we climbed several large grades.  It was slow going but we made it.  Our block has cracked a little more than when I left home.  The muffler has a leak and needs welding we will try and get done tomorrow.  Bill R. car is working fine today.  Heard the Meenely's and Beaman's on the C.B radio when we arrived. We also spoke to Steve Halverson and his Daughter Ellie they arrived safe as well. Steve picked up Ellie in Wendover so they could travel together.  The cars never ran hot and the 36% overdrive works like a dream.  Third over makes the engine lug a bit if we are not driving fast enough.  Traveling about 55 to 59 until we reached the hills. The hills were very green and lush after going over the grade.   Bill & I think we saw wild horses roaming in the mountains they looked strange, there was one by itself and then there were 2 several miles later with no other horses in site.   Snow can still be seen on the mountain tops.  We passed the Salt Lake Morton Salt factory.  Long trains with 2 engines pulling several cars passed us we would count the cars to see if we came up with the same number.   I have lots of pictures and Bill A. and I are working to get them posted ASAP thank you for your patience. Until tomorrow's adventure. 

Lauren Alley 

Hello to all following our blog.  We would love to hear from all of you, please leave your comments.  Today we left Eureka around 10:00am.  Bill Rose was not feeling well.  We headed east after a bite to eat at the hotel and we were off.  One of our first climbs was in Newark Valley called Pancake Summit elevation approx. 6,500, the next big climb was Little Antelopes at elevation 7,438, next Robinson Pass at 6,707.  After the large climbs there were more gradual inclines making it easier for me to keep the A rolling without slowing down. The Bonniville Salt Flats were nice to see, and we could still see reminants of snow on the peaks of the mountains around us.  The weather was unseasonably cool but still very nice. The inside of my car read 80 the whole way there.  We met Steve Halverson who we traveled with yesturday in Ely, he had to drive to Ely to find a hotel.  The large Model A group seemed to have filled the hotels in Eureka.  Our speed was between 55 & 60 traveling Hwy 50 once we reached the gradual climbs. My RPM was between 2K & 2.5.  We passed many Model A'ers on the way and we were looking forward to getting to Wendover earlier than we arrived the night before.  We did not arrive in time with the group to take the train ride  but that was fine we needed to push on, this was a 200 mile day.  Stopping for a light running board lunch we enjoyed visiting and talking Model A's.  Reaching Wendover about 4:30pm we checked in at the Montego Hotel.  The facility is beautiful, gambling downstairs and many restaurants.  The hotel has an enclosed glass bridge over the road to the Nugget across the street.  Dinner was very good at the hotel and we are ready to retire for tomorrow's big day to Evanston. 

Thank you for reading our blog, Lauren Alley

Today started out slowly we left the hotel around 8:00am.  Stopping for gas and a Safeway visit we hit the jackpot, they had subway sandwiches for $5.00.  We fed three people with a huge piece left.  We have been checking out the pony express stations.  Our first point of interest was Sand Hill where the pony express stopped for a watering hole.  The mountains are all around this sand pile it looks like semi trucks dropped off loads of sand until they made a mountain.  The mountain has a lot of history behind it, an indian tribe thought the mountain to be cursed.  Pulling out of our first stop I headed up the grade.  At Sand Hill Bill replaced his carburator it wasn't running right.  Meeting up with Steve Halverson from the Gra-Neva A's he helped to replace the carburator.  Traveling together we stopped to eat lunch off Hwy 50 they had the only shade around.  As we made our way through the desert we filled up the cars with gas in Austin.  We found a fellow Model A'er George & Barbara (from the Rambling A's in Redding) had broke down on an incline, a large curve in the road, and the A was partially in the driving lane.  He had lost his gas cap from his gas stop and there was no moving the vehicle, the gear shift tower had become inoperative.  A truck wanted to pull the A off the road with a chain but the vehicle wouldn't move because the transmission was locked up.  As the three George, Bill, & Steve were taking out the floor boards and pulling out all kinds of tools several other model A enthusiasts stopped to help.  Everyone pulled together some waiving traffic on and others had pulled their good shirts off to crawl under the car with tarps on the ground.  Thank goodness for Bill Rose he was able to get George & Barbara back on the road to enjoy their trip.  They made Eureka with half an hour to spare to get ready for the BBQ.  We had a wonderful dinner outside enjoying friends.  After dinner we were gathered with our A's on Hwy 50 shutting down traffic in both directions so that a picture could be taken in front of the old court house with all attending A's and their owners.  We were told that the pictures would be e-mailed to us.  After all the events were over we took a walk with the Meenely's and Beaman's for an ice cream.  What a great way to end a hot and tiring day and we only traveled 180 miles seemed like more.  The highest elevation today was approx. 6,700 and a 6% grade down some hills.  The A's did well and we will have more tomorrow. 

Morning started for me at 6:00am not my normal hour of what I call morning,  9:00 would have been better!  Breakfast at the hotel with everyone, we were late but still made the leave time with the group 7:00A.M.  We had to check the fluids and packed the car before we left; today would be approx. a 200 mile day of driving.  While trying to start the car to warm up, it just wouldn't start.  I tried and tried, finally one of the fellow Model A'ers came over and said "Do you have the gas turned on" Stupid me I remembered I turned it off last night.  At least it wasn't serious.  Following our fellow Model A'ers John/Judy Guzzetta, Pat/Bob Meenely, Bob/Mary Beaman we traveled back roads to Pony Express Station's.  Stopping and taking pictures of the sites and discussing with locals about the history of the Pony Express.  Some early homes and buildings were still standing from the time of the Pony Express.  The ride was beautiful through the trees; the A's hugging the road enjoying every minute.  After Placerville we opted for Hwy 50, we had limited time and needed to get into the hotel prior to the final game of basketball for the "Final Two" , Lakers vs Boston.  Stopping for a snack and overlooking the river we sat on the A running board, it was very relaxing.   WOW Lake Tahoe was so blue and the weather was perfect not to hot or cold.  Snow on the higher elevations could be seen in the distance but we didn't see snow on any road that we traveled.  Harrahs had a large Pony Express horse in front of their building that we enjoyed seeing.  We traveled over the Kingsbury Grade from Tahoe. The grade was high and steep for the A's, we used mostly 2nd gear and 2nd high. Road work was being done and we were stopped as the road workers controlled the one lane open for both directions.  On a steep uphill climb with my right foot on the brake and my left foot on the clutch I used my hand throttle to try to start up the hill.  The car died and I had a line of cars behind me.  Not being a seasoned driver I tried a couple of times and finally I got it going.  It's not easy to hit the starter, press on the brake, press on the clutch and use the hand throttle while trying to get the car to roll up hill in first gear.   I was worried I would roll backwards into the car behind me.  I got a thumbs up from the woman holding the sign for the road work when I finally got going.   Rolling down the back side we were in 2nd gear using our compression to hold us back.  I hardly used my brakes going down the steep decline, but I did hold onto the gear shift and it never popped out of gear (YA). Both A's are working very well.  Lunch was in a great little town in NV. called Genoa, at Genoa deli.  We all were able to visit together sharing stories.  Back on the road I read the sign 58 miles to Fallon  and I thought great this will be a breeze.  It took longer than I thought pulling into the Best Western at 4:30 just enough time to get our rooms and unload the A. Dinner was at Stockman's Cafe where we watched the game, 79 Boston 83 Lakers NBA Champions 2010! 

Signing off for now until tomorrow's adventure.    Lauren

We traveled up Vasco Road to Brentwood, Antioch and over the bridge past windy cove.  The Sacramento Delta River was beautiful with boats enjoying the day. We passed farms with apricots, plums, peaches, all fresh from the day's pick.  Wheat fields and pears were almost ready for harvest.  The pears will be harvested in the fall, this year's crop seemed thin.   The A's worked great the afternoon was cool enough that we had no heating problems.  Arriving at The Red Lion Inn about 5:00 pm.  Dinner and off to our rooms for an early start in the A.M.

Thank you for following us along we love to hear your comments. I will try to post pictures soon.  Lauren

HERE WE GO AGAIN.  ANOTHER TOUR WITH OUR MODEL A'S.  LEAVING WEDNESDAY FOR SACRAMENTO TO MEET OTHER MODEL A ENTHUSIASTS AND KICK OFF MAFCA'S FIRST NATIONAL TOUR.  THERE WILL BE AN EVENT FOR ALL IT WILL BE EAST MEETS WEST IN CASPER WYOMING.  OUR TOUR IS SCHEDULED WITH MANY EVENTS GOING AND RETURNING.  FEEL FREE TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH US DAILY ON OUR BLOG.  WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AND YOU WILL GET INFORMATION ON THE TOUR PRIOR TO OUR NEXT MEETING.  TALK TO YOU SOON!

LAUREN ALLEY